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The Kindle Colorsoft has had a unusual rollout. The colour e-reader debuted in October of 2024 however briefly paused transport after buyer stories of discoloration. Since then, the Colorsoft has quietly been available on the market with two new iterations becoming a member of the lineup. Now the Colorsoft assortment contains Kindle Colorsoft (16GB), Kindle Colorsoft Signature Version (32GB), and Kindle Colorsoft Youngsters.
Amazon’s Kindles admittedly joined the colour e-reader birthday party beautiful overdue. Earlier than the Colorsoft’s release, Kobo already had two colour e-readers, the Clara Color and Libra Color, Boox had the Move Colour 7, and the Outstanding Paper Professional pill has a colour show too (even if the Outstanding is extra of a paper pill than an e-reader).
The Kindle Colorsoft (left) is the newcomer to the colour e-reader marketplace, becoming a member of the Kobo Clara Color (proper).
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
With the debut of the Colorsoft, Amazon additionally had an enormous value downside, as the primary instrument introduced — the Colorsoft Signature Version — value $279.99. As of July 2025, Amazon launched the extra inexpensive Kindle Colorsoft, which we are right here to study as of late.
At $249.99, it is nonetheless an funding of an e-reader — so is it value it? Listed here are our ideas at the Kindle Colorsoft.
Kindle Colorsoft value and specifications
From the outdoor, Kindle Colorsoft and Paperwhite are indistinguishable.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
As discussed above, the Kindle Colorsoft with 16 GB prices $249.99. To position that value into viewpoint, that is $90 greater than the similar Kindle Paperwhite however $30 less expensive than the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Version.
In comparison to different colour e-readers, it nonetheless runs pricey. The Kobo Clara Color prices the similar because the Paperwhite at $159.99, whilst the Kobo Libra Color prices $229.99. So, taking a look at value by myself, it is probably the most pricey colour e-readers.
Let’s get into the specifications of the Kindle Colorsoft:
7-inch show
As much as 94 nits brightness with adjustable heat
300 ppi answer for black and white and 150 ppi for colour
USB-C charging port with as much as 8 weeks of battery existence
16GB of garage
IPX8 water-resistant score will also be totally submerged in water for as much as one hour
Is available in black, raspberry, and jade
The colour does not disappoint
Evaluating the e-reader to the bodily guide.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The massive show-stopping high quality of the Kindle Colorsoft is the colour show, so that is the precedence right here. The colour appears to be like actually great at the Kindle Colorsoft.
I borrowed a duplicate of Heartstopper Quantity 3 with Libby and despatched it to the Kindle Colorsoft, however I sought after to peer the way it in fact in comparison to the actual factor. After grabbing a bodily replica of the unconventional from the library, I set them side-by-side to peer how the visuals when put next.
The Kindle Colorsoft does a pleasing process of appropriately color-matching the bodily replica. Alternatively, the colours at the Colorsoft are muted in comparison to the guide, even while you flip up the brightness. I want the show had been upper distinction to seize punchy, colourful hues.
I additionally pulled out the Apple iPad (eleventh gen) to evaluate the colour shows at the Colorsoft.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
However I sought after to ensure that its muted tone wasn’t simply how the e-books had been illustrated, so I pulled out my iPad to view the e book inside the Libby app. At the iPad, the colours had been extra colourful and correct to the bodily guide than the Kindle Colorsoft. Plus, the iPad highlighted the Colorsoft’s decrease answer.
You will not pass over a ton of colour whilst the use of the Kindle Colorsoft — simply do not be expecting the similar vibrancy you’ll be expecting with a bodily replica. If that is a concern for you in studying digitally, opt for a pill as a substitute, as colour e-ink shows nonetheless have a long way to move in the case of answer and high quality.
It runs identical to a Kindle Paperwhite
With the addition of colour to a Kindle, I used to be curious if it will impact the potency of its working device. Thankfully, it does not. The Colorsoft runs identical to the Kindle Paperwhite, which is to mention, briefly and successfully. There is little to no lag time between pages, and it has a 300 ppi answer when the use of black and white, adjustable heat and brightness, and an IPX8 water-resistant score.
There’s one small distinction when working the Colorsoft in comparison to the Paperwhite. When the use of the e-reader in colour, the display screen has a tendency to flash between pages whilst loading. This can be a not unusual plight amongst colour e-readers, and one thing you’ll be able to to find true amongst Kobo’s colour e-readers, too.
As opposed to the most obvious colour side, the Colorsoft boasts one merit over the usual Kindle Paperwhite: It’s ad-free. This used to be a nice marvel to me, however one I would be expecting for a tool that prices $250.
I’m upset that Colorsoft does not have auto-adjusting brightness. For that, you will have to spend much more at the Colorsoft Signature Version.
Is the Kindle Colorsoft value it?
Is the Kindle Colorsoft value it? We are choosing different e-readers.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
For the common reader, no, the Kindle Colorsoft isn’t value it. Until you are most commonly studying graphic novels, you do not want colour on an e-reader. In terms of buying a Kindle, it is a higher price to move for the Paperwhite and even the Signature Version.
In case you are actually getting a colour e-reader, I would discover Kobo’s choices as a substitute. The Clara Color is our favourite e-reader at Mashable, and whilst it does have a reasonably smaller display screen, it possesses the similar brightness and backbone because the Kindle Colorsoft — to not point out it is $90 less expensive. If you need the larger display screen, the Kobo Libra Color could also be nice.
I may counsel this Kindle Colorsoft to oldsters purchasing for youngsters. This fashion is $20 less expensive than the Colorsoft Youngsters, and all through setup, you’ll select to set it up so it is kid-friendly. The colour show is a big boon for youngsters who need to revel in their favourite books in colour, plus it is a a lot better distraction-free reader than a pill.
